Endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus and endoscope cleaning method

ABSTRACT

An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus includes an endoscope connection section, a liquid supply conduit, a gas feeding conduit, a first gas feeding section, a first exhaust section, and a control section that performs a step of filling the gas feeding conduit with a cleaning liquid, a step of opening the first exhaust section, a step of allowing a gas to flow from the first gas feeding section to the endoscope connection section and feeding a two-phase gas-liquid fluid with which the gas feeding conduit is filled into the conduit of the endoscope and a step of closing the first exhaust section a predetermined time after allowing the gas to flow.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/705,467 filed on May 6, 2015, issuing as U.S.Pat. No. 9,730,577 on Aug. 15, 2017, which is a continuation applicationof PCT/JP2013/084108 filed on Dec. 19, 2013 and claims benefit ofJapanese Application No. 2012-283229 filed in Japan on Dec. 26, 2012,the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus that cleans/disinfects an endoscope, and an endoscope cleaningmethod.

2. Description of the Related Art

A configuration of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus is wellknown in which an endoscope conduit is connected to an endoscopeconnection section of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus, anda cleaning liquid is supplied from the endoscope connection section intothe endoscope conduit to clean an inside of the endoscope conduit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 58-156384discloses a configuration of an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus in which a two-phase gas-liquid fluid which is a mixture of acleaning liquid and compressed air is supplied into an endoscope conduitfrom an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus to remove filth or thelike stuck to the inner wall of the endoscope conduit using the gasphase.

Here, a configuration is also well known which is different fromJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 58-156384 in whicha two-phase gas-liquid fluid is supplied into the endoscope conduit.More specifically, a configuration is well known in which after fillingthe inside of the endoscope conduit with a liquid, a gas under highpressure is supplied into the endoscope conduit to thereby use liquidremoving capability of the gas when removing the liquid from the insideof the endoscope conduit and improve washability in the endoscopeconduit rather than simply supplying a gas-liquid mixture into theendoscope conduit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus according to one aspect ofthe present invention is an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatusthat cleans/disinfects an endoscope, including an endoscope connectionsection connected to a conduit of the endoscope, a liquid supply conduitthat supplies a cleaning liquid to the conduit of the endoscope via theendoscope connection section, a gas feeding conduit, one end of which isconnected to the endoscope connection section and also connected to theliquid supply conduit, a first gas feeding section disposed at the otherend of the gas feeding conduit to feed a gas into the conduit of theendoscope via the gas feeding conduit, a first exhaust section providedin the gas feeding conduit, to open, to an atmosphere, the gas feedingconduit, and a control section that performs a step of filling the gasfeeding conduit with the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply conduit,a step of opening the first exhaust section, a step of allowing a gas toflow from the first gas feeding section to the endoscope connectionsection and feeding a two-phase gas-liquid fluid which is a mixture ofthe cleaning liquid with which the gas feeding conduit is filled and thegas into the conduit of the endoscope and a step of closing the firstexhaust section a predetermined time after allowing the gas to flow.

An endoscope cleaning method according to an aspect of the presentinvention is an endoscope cleaning method using an endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus including an endoscope connectionsection connected to a conduit of an endoscope, a liquid supply conduitthat supplies a cleaning liquid to the conduit of the endoscope via theendoscope connection section, a gas feeding conduit, one end of which isconnected to the endoscope connection section and also connected to theliquid supply conduit, and a first gas feeding section disposed at theother end of the gas feeding conduit to feed a gas into the conduit ofthe endoscope via the gas feeding conduit, the method including a stepof filling the gas feeding conduit with the cleaning liquid from theliquid supply conduit, a step of opening the first exhaust section, astep of allowing a gas to flow from the first gas feeding section to theendoscope connection section and feeding a two-phase gas-liquid fluidwhich is a mixture of the cleaning liquid with which the gas feedingconduit is filled and the gas into the conduit of the endoscope, and astep of closing the first exhaust section a predetermined time afterallowing the gas to flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration inwhich an endoscope is connected to an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus of the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration inwhich a two-phase gas-liquid fluid is supplied into a conduit of theendoscope in the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus of thepresent embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a modification in which the secondvalve in FIGS. 1 and 2 is constructed of a second exhaust section;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a modification in which the second gasfeeding section in FIG. 3 is provided in the apparatus body;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a modification in which the first gasfeeding section in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided outside the apparatus body;and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus including in the apparatus body, aconfiguration for detecting clogging of the conduit of the endoscope inFIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration inwhich an endoscope is connected to an endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus of the present invention. Hereinafter, an overview of aconfiguration of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 of thepresent embodiment will be described.

The endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 of the present inventionhas a basic configuration including an endoscope connection section 24connected to a conduit of an endoscope 51, a gas feeding conduit 22, oneend of which is connected to the endoscope connection section 24, afirst gas feeding section connection section 231 disposed at the otherend of the gas feeding conduit 22 and connected to a first gas feedingsection 30 to feed a gas into the conduit of the endoscope 51 via thegas feeding conduit 22, a first valve 33 disposed at a middle positionof the gas feeding conduit 22 to allow or block a flow of the gas fromthe first gas feeding section connection section 231 to the endoscopeconnection section 24, a connection conduit 62, one end of which isconnected to the gas feeding conduit 22, a second gas feeding sectionconnection section 232 disposed at the other end of the connectionconduit 22 and connected to a second gas feeding section 76 that feedsthe gas into the conduit of the endoscope 51 via the connection conduit62 and the gas feeding conduit 22, a second valve 65 disposed at amiddle position of the connection conduit 62 to allow or block the gasflow from the second gas feeding section connection section 232 to theendoscope connection section 24, and a control section 70 that cancontrol opening/closing of the first valve 33 and the second valve 65simultaneously.

There is a cleaning method of filling the conduit of the endoscope 51with a liquid, blowing a gas into the conduit of the endoscope 51 at ablast, causing a liquid-gas mixture to run into the conduit of theendoscope 51 to thereby squeeze filth out of the conduit of theendoscope 51. With this cleaning method, if the gas introduced into theconduit of the endoscope 51 flows below a predetermined flow rate, theliquid filling the conduit runs out without being able to squeeze filthout.

When at least one of the first gas feeding section 30 and the second gasfeeding section 76 cannot demonstrate a predetermined output from thestart and the output gradually increases, the first valve 33 and thesecond valve 65 are closed. By switching the first valve 33 and thesecond valve 65 from a blocked state to a flow state after the first gasfeeding section 30 or second gas feeding section 76 reaches thepredetermined output, it is possible to implement the aforementionedcleaning method.

The first valve 33 and the second valve 65 may be electromagnetic valvesthat close a gas channel to thereby allow or block a gas flow or exhaustvalves that let a gas out of the conduit to thereby allow or block a gasflow.

Note that the first gas feeding section 30 or the second gas feedingsection 76 may be provided in the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 ormay be a separate member provided independently of thecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1.

As methods for filling the conduit of the endoscope 51 with a liquid,the liquid may be manually introduced into the conduit of the endoscope51 using a syringe or the like or the cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1may have a structure for introducing the liquid. One example of amechanism for introducing the liquid into the conduit of the endoscope51 is a mechanism using a liquid inlet (circulation port) 11, a liquidsupply conduit 12 and a liquid feeding pump 13 shown in FIG. 2.

The control section 70 controls driving of the first valve 33, thesecond valve 65 and the liquid feeding pump 11, and thecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 can thereby automatically implementthe above-described cleaning method.

Next, a specific configuration example of the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus in FIG. 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration inwhich a two-phase gas-liquid fluid is supplied into the conduit of theendoscope in the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus.

Note that in FIG. 2, a configuration will be described by way of examplein which the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus cleans twoendoscopes. However, it goes without saying that the number ofendoscopes that can be cleaned by the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus is not limited to 2.

The endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 that cleans/disinfectsthe conduits of at least the endoscopes 51 and 52 as shown in FIG. 2 isprovided with a cleaning/disinfecting tank 2 that can freely accommodatethe endoscopes 51 and 52 in an apparatus body 1 h.

Endoscope connection sections 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d which areconnected to the conduit of the endoscope 51 via tubes 71 a, 71 b, 71 cand 71 d are provided at positions facing the cleaning/disinfecting tank2 of the apparatus body 1 h. Note that the number of endoscopeconnection sections connected to the conduit of the endoscope 51 is notlimited to 4.

Similarly, endoscope connection sections 24 e, 24 f, 24 g and 24 h whichare connected to the conduit of the endoscope 52 via tubes 71 e, 71 f,71 g and 71 h are provided at positions facing the cleaning/disinfectingtank 2 of the apparatus body 1 h. Note that the number of endoscopeconnection sections connected to the conduit of the endoscope 52 is notlimited to 4 either.

Furthermore, the endoscope connection section 24 a is provided with achannel valve 23 a for closing/opening the endoscope connection section24 a and the endoscope connection section 24 b is provided with achannel valve 23 b for closing/opening the endoscope connection section24 b. The endoscope connection section 24 c is provided with a channelvalve 23 c for closing/opening the endoscope connection section 24 c andthe endoscope connection section 24 d is provided with a channel valve23 d for closing/opening the endoscope connection section 24 d.

In this way, a liquid supply into the conduit of the endoscope 51 viathe tubes 71 a to 71 d is switched ON/OFF along with opening/closing ofthe channel valves 23 a to 23 d. Note that examples of the liquidinclude a cleaning liquid, a disinfecting liquid, alcohol, rinse waterand a two-phase gas-liquid fluid.

Similarly, the endoscope connection section 24 e is provided with achannel valve 23 e for closing/opening the endoscope connection section24 e and the endoscope connection section 24 f is provided with achannel valve 23 f for closing/opening the endoscope connection section24 f. The endoscope connection section 24 g is provided with a channelvalve 23 g for closing/opening the endoscope connection section 24 g andthe endoscope connection section 24 h is provided with a channel valve23 h for closing/opening the endoscope connection section 24 h.

In this way, a liquid supply into the conduit of the endoscope 52 viathe tubes 71 e to 71 h is switched ON/OFF along with opening/closing ofthe channel valves 23 e to 23 h.

Note that the channel valves 23 a to 23 h are made up of, for example,freely openable/closable solenoid valves. Opening/closing operations ofthe channel valves 23 a to 23 h are controlled by the control section 70provided in the apparatus body 1 h which will be described later.

A gas feeding conduit 22, one end of which is connected to each of theendoscope connection sections 24 a to 24 h is provided in the apparatusbody 1 h. A first gas feeding section 30 that feeds a gas into theconduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 via the gas feeding conduit 22 andeach of the endoscope connection sections 24 a to 24 h is connected tothe other end of the gas feeding conduit 22.

Note that the first gas feeding section 30 is made up of, for example, acompressor. The driving of the first gas feeding section 30 iscontrolled by the control section 70 which will be described later.

Assuming the first gas feeding section 30 as an upstream side, a checkvalve 28, an air filter 27, a check valve 19, a CH (channel) block 14, aCH block 15 and a CH block 16 are interposed in that order from theupstream side between each of the endoscope connection sections 24 a to24 h of the gas feeding conduit 22 and the first gas feeding section 30in the apparatus body 1 h. Note that the CH blocks 14, 15 and 16 allhave an inner diameter of 10 mm or more.

The check valve 28 is intended to prevent a gas from flowing fromdownstream to upstream of the check valve 28, that is, from the airfilter 27 side to the first gas feeding section 30 side.

The air filter 27 is intended to remove dust, bacteria or the like inthe gas fed from the first gas feeding section 30 and the second gasfeeding section 76 which will be described later.

The check valve 19 is intended to prevent a gas or liquid from flowingfrom downstream to upstream of the check valve 19, that is, from the CHblock 14 side to the air filter 27 side.

One end of the liquid supply conduit 12, the other end of which isconnected to the circulation port 11 of the cleaning/disinfecting tank 2is connected to the CH block 14 via a check valve 18. Note that in thepresent embodiment, the cleaning/disinfecting tank 2 constitutes aliquid supply source.

The check valve 18 is intended to prevent a liquid from flowing fromdownstream to upstream of the check valve 18, that is, from the CH block14 side to the circulation port 11 side.

The liquid feeding pump 13 is interposed at a middle position of theliquid supply conduit 12. Note that the driving of the liquid feedingpump 13 is controlled by the control section 70 which will be describedlater.

Thus, when the channel valves 23 a to 23 h are opened by the controlsection 70, a shut-off valve 42 which will be described later is opened,and when the liquid feeding pump 13 is driven, the liquid in thecleaning/disinfecting tank 2 is fed into the conduits of the endoscopes51 and 52 via the liquid supply conduit 12, the gas feeding conduit 22,the endoscope connection sections 24 a to 24 h and the tubes 71 a to 71h. Note that the liquid supplied into the conduits of the endoscopes 51and 52 is supplied to the cleaning/disinfecting tank 2 again from theopenings of the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52.

One end of an atmosphere opening conduit 40, the other end of which isconnected to a cleaning case 44 of the cleaning/disinfecting tank 2 soas to be opened to the atmosphere, is connected to the CH block 16.

A first relief valve 41 that is opened when a pressure in the gasfeeding conduit 22 becomes a set pressure or higher is interposed at amiddle position of the atmosphere opening conduit 40 and the shut-offvalve 42 that opens/closes the atmosphere opening conduit 40 under theopening/closing control of the control section 70 which will bedescribed later is interposed downstream of the first relief valve 41.

Note that the set pressure at which the first relief valve 41 opens isset to be smaller than a withstand pressure of the conduits of theendoscopes 51 and 52. For example, when the withstand pressure of theconduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 is 0.2 MPa, the set pressure isdefined as 0.18 MPa. Note that the value of the set pressure is notlimited to 0.18 MPa, but can be any value as long as it is smaller thanthe withstand pressure of the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52.

That is, the first relief valve 41 prevents the pressure in the gasfeeding conduit 22 from exceeding the withstand pressure of the conduitsof the endoscopes 51 and 52. In other words, no gas or liquid having apressure higher than the withstand pressure is supplied into theconduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52.

One end of an atmosphere opening conduit 32, the other end of which isopened to the atmosphere is connected between the first gas feedingsection 30 and the check valve 28 in the gas feeding conduit 22, and afirst valve 33 is interposed at a middle position of the atmosphereopening conduit 32.

The first valve 33 is constructed of either a first opening/closingsection 33 b (not shown in FIG. 2) made up of an electromagnetic valvethat opens/closes the gas feeding conduit 22 or a first exhaust section33 a which is made up of an exhaust valve that opens/closes the gasfeeding conduit 22 so as to be freely opened to the atmosphere.

On the other hand, when the first valve 33 is made up of anelectromagnetic valve, the gas is allowed to flow from the first gasfeeding section connection section 231 (see FIG. 1) to the endoscopeconnection section 24 by opening the electromagnetic valve and a gasflow from the first gas feeding section connection section 231 to theendoscope connection section 24 is blocked by closing theelectromagnetic valve.

On the other hand, when the first valve 33 is made up of an exhaustvalve, the gas is allowed to flow from the first gas feeding sectionconnection section 231 to the endoscope connection section 24 by closingthe exhaust valve and the gas fed from the first gas feeding sectionconnection section 231 is let out of the exhaust valve before arrivingat the endoscope connection section 24 by opening the exhaust valve, andthe gas flow from the first gas feeding section connection section 231to the endoscope connection section 24 is thereby blocked.

In the present embodiment, note that description will be givenhereinafter assuming that the first valve 33 is the first exhaustsection 33 a.

That is, when the first exhaust section 33 a is open, the gas fed fromthe first gas feeding section 30 is opened to the atmosphere via theatmosphere opening conduit 32 and when the first exhaust section 33 a isclosed, the gas is fed toward the downstream side of the gas feedingconduit 22. The opening/closing operation of the first exhaust section33 a is controlled by the control section 70 which will be describedlater.

One end of the connection conduit 62 is connected between the checkvalve 28 and the air filter 27 in the gas feeding conduit 22.

The other end of the connection conduit 62 is located outside theapparatus body 1 h via an outside air inlet 69 and the second gasfeeding section 76 is connected which feeds a predetermined compressedair stored in a tank 77, for example, a gas of 0.8 MPa into the conduitsof the endoscopes 51 and 52 via the connection conduit 62 and the gasfeeding conduit 22.

Note that the second gas feeding section 76 is constructed of alarge-size compressor that can feed a greater volume of gas than, forexample, that of the first gas feeding section 30. The second gasfeeding section 76 may also be simultaneously connected to anotherendoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus. By so doing, one second gasfeeding section 76 is enough even when a plurality of endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatuses are installed.

Note that in the present embodiment, the second gas feeding section 76functions so as to always be driven when power is turned on, not underthe operation control of the control section 70.

Thus, when power is on, the gas in the tank 77 is always fed from thesecond gas feeding section 76, but the second valve 65 which will bedescribed later switches whether or not to supply the gas from thesecond gas feeding section 76 to the gas feeding conduit 22.

Assuming one end of the connection conduit 62 as the upstream side, acheck valve 64, the second valve 65, a regulator 66 and a pressuresensor 67 are interposed in that order from the upstream side betweenone end and the other end of the connection conduit 62.

The check valve 64 is intended to prevent the gas from flowing fromdownstream to upstream of the check valve 64, that is, from the gasfeeding conduit 22 side to the second valve 65 side.

The second valve 65 is constructed of either a second opening/closingsection 65 b made up of an electromagnetic valve that opens/closes theconnection conduit 62 or a second exhaust section 65 a (not shown inFIG. 2) made up of an exhaust valve that opens/closes the connectionconduit 62 so as to be freely opened to the atmosphere.

When the second valve 65 is constructed of an electromagnetic valve, thegas is caused to flow from the second gas feeding section connectionsection 232 to the endoscope connection section 24 by opening theelectromagnetic valve or the gas flow from the second gas feedingsection connection section 232 to the endoscope connection section 24 isblocked by closing the electromagnetic valve.

On the other hand, when the second valve 65 is constructed of an exhaustvalve, the gas is caused to flow from the second gas feeding sectionconnection section 232 to the endoscope connection section 24 by closingthe exhaust valve or the gas flow from the second gas feeding sectionconnection section 232 to the endoscope connection section 24 is blockedby opening the exhaust valve since the gas fed from the second gasfeeding section connection section 232 is let out of the exhaust valvebefore the gas arrives at the endoscope connection section 24.

In the present embodiment, note that description will be givenhereinafter assuming that the second valve 65 is the secondopening/closing section 65 b. That is, only when the secondopening/closing section 65 b is open, the gas fed from the second gasfeeding section 76 is fed to the gas feeding conduit 22 side. Theopening/closing operation of the second opening/closing section 65 b iscontrolled by the control section 70 which will be described later.

The regulator 66 adjusts the pressure to, for example, 0.2 MPa so as toavoid a high pressure of the gas fed from the second gas feeding section76 of, for example, 0.8 MPa from being fed into the gas feeding conduit22 as is and destroying various components, and the pressure sensor 67is intended to detect the pressure in the connection conduit 62.

One end of an atmosphere opening conduit 25, the other end of which isopened to the atmosphere, is connected between the check valve 19 andthe air filter 27 in the gas feeding conduit 22, and a second reliefvalve 26 that is opened when the pressure in the gas feeding conduit 22becomes equal to or higher than a set pressure is interposed at a middleposition of the atmosphere opening conduit 25.

Note that the set pressure at which the second relief valve 26 is openedis set to be smaller than the withstand pressures of the conduits of theendoscopes 51 and 52 as in the case of the first relief valve 41.

The control section 70 is provided in the apparatus body 1 h and isintended to control opening/closing of the shut-off valve 42, thechannel valves 23 a to 23 h, the first valve 33 and the second valve 65,and control the driving of the liquid feeding pump 13 and the first gasfeeding section 30.

Note that the control section 70 can control opening/closing of thefirst valve 33 and control opening/closing of the second valve 65simultaneously. That is, the present embodiment can controlopening/closing of the first exhaust section 33 a and controlopening/closing of the second opening/closing section 65 bsimultaneously.

Next, operation of the present embodiment, or more specifically,operation of the control section 70 when cleaning the conduits of theendoscopes 51 and 52 by supplying a two-phase gas-liquid fluid thereintowill be described.

When cleaning the conduits in the endoscopes 51 and 52, the controlsection 70 performs control to open the channel valves 23 a to 23 h,control to open the shut-off valve 42 and control to drive the liquidfeeding pump 13.

Note that the control section 70 performs control in a first step tokeep closed the second opening/closing section 65 b which becomes thesecond valve 65 so that the gas does not flow from the second gasfeeding section 76 into the gas feeding conduit 22.

In the first step, when a motor-operated valve or a normally open valvewhich is closed when powered up is used as the second opening/closingvalve, an active operation to close the second opening/closing section65 b is necessary. On the other hand, a normally closed valve which isopened when powered up may also be used as the second opening/closingvalve. In this case, an active operation to close the secondopening/closing section 65 b is unnecessary.

As a result, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning/disinfecting tank 2 isfed into the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 via the circulationport 11, the liquid supply conduit 12, the gas feeding conduit 22, theendoscope connection sections 24 a to 24 h, and the tubes 71 a to 71 h.

With the supply of this cleaning liquid, filth or the like stuck to theinner wall of the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 becomes softer.Note that with the supply of the cleaning liquid, clogging in theconduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 is detected using a flow meterprovided in the gas feeding conduit 22, which is not shown.

Next, after feeding the cleaning liquid into the endoscopes 51 and 52for a set time, the control section 70 executes a second step ofperforming control to stop the driving of the liquid feeding pump 13 andcausing the cleaning liquid to remain in, that is, filling the conduitsof the endoscopes 51 and 52, and the gas feeding conduit 22.

After that, the control section 70 executes a third step of performingcontrol to open the first exhaust section 33 a, control to close theshut-off valve 42 and further control to drive the first gas feedingsection 30.

As a result, the gas fed from the first gas feeding section 30 is openedto the atmosphere via the atmosphere opening conduit 32 because thefirst exhaust section 33 a is open. Note that the feeding pressure ofthe first gas feeding section 30 at an initial stage of driving is lowerthan the feeding pressure which becomes a set pressure during normaldriving.

After driving the first gas feeding section 30 and after a lapse of aset time at which the feeding pressure of the first gas feeding section30 becomes a set pressure during normal driving, the control section 70executes a fourth step of simultaneously performing control to close thefirst exhaust section 33 a and control to open the secondopening/closing section 65 b which becomes the second valve 65.

As a result, the gas is fed from the first gas feeding section 30 to thegas feeding conduit 22 at the set pressure during normal driving, and atthe same time, predetermined compressed air stored in the tank 77 fromthe second gas feeding section 76 is fed with a pressure adjusted by theregulator 66. In addition, the gas fed from the first gas feedingsection 30 and the second gas feeding section 76 is supplied togetherwith the liquid charged in the gas feeding conduit 22 into theendoscopes 51 and 52 via the endoscope connection sections 24 a to 24 hand the tubes 71 a to 71 h. That is, a two-phase gas-liquid fluid issupplied into the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52.

In this case, since the liquid in the gas feeding conduit 22 and theconduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 is removed vigorously by the fedgas, filth or the like stuck to the inner wall of the conduits in theendoscopes 51 and 52 is removed by the liquid removing capability of thegas.

Note that the duration of the gas supply into the conduits of theendoscopes 51 and 52 is preferably set to be longer than the duration ofthe liquid removing from the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 andthe gas feeding conduit 22.

Since the shut-off valve 42 is closed, the first relief valve 41 doesnot function, but the pressure of the gas fed from the first gas feedingsection 30 and second gas feeding section 76 into the gas feedingconduit 22 is prevented from becoming higher than the withstand pressureof the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 by the second relief valve26 being opened and the gas feeding conduit 22 being opened to theatmosphere as described above. For this reason, no gas having a higherpressure than the withstand pressure is supplied into the conduits ofthe endoscopes 51 and 52.

Moreover, the control to open the second opening/closing section 65 b isperformed after the driving of the first gas feeding section 30 becauseif the control to open the second opening/closing section 65 b isperformed before the driving of the first gas feeding section 30, thepressure in the gas feeding conduit 22 may increase, which mayconsequently prevent the first gas feeding section 30 from being driven.

Furthermore, the control to open the second opening/closing section 65 band the control to close the first exhaust section 33 a are performedsimultaneously because if the control to close the first exhaust section33 a is performed first, as described above, the liquid in the gasfeeding conduit 22 and the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 would beremoved by the feeding pressure of the first gas feeding section 30alone, which may prevent sufficient cleaning effects from beingobtained.

After feeding the gas, the control section 70 performs control to openthe first exhaust section 33 a, control to close the secondopening/closing section 65 b and control to stop the driving of thefirst gas feeding section 30. As a result, the gas is no longer fed tothe gas feeding conduit 22.

After that, when the control section 70 performs control to drive theliquid feeding pump 13, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning/disinfectingtank 2 is supplied again into the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52via the liquid supply conduit 12 and the gas feeding conduit 22 asdescribed above, and the process returns to the normal cleaning step.

Note that the gas may also be supplied to the gas feeding conduit 22several times in the normal cleaning step. The above-described operationis likewise applicable to a case where the conduit of either endoscope51 or 52 is cleaned using a two-phase gas-liquid fluid.

Thus, the present embodiment has described that when cleaning theconduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 using a two-phase gas-liquid fluid,the control section 70 performs control to open the first exhaustsection 33 a, control to drive the first gas feeding section 30, controlto close the first exhaust section 33 a when the feeding pressure of thefirst gas feeding section 30 becomes a set pressure during normaldriving, and control to open the second opening/closing section 65 b.

Accordingly, the liquid charged into the endoscopes 51 and 52 and thegas feeding conduit 22 is removed vigorously by a high-pressure gas suchas the gas from the first gas feeding section 30 or the gas from thesecond gas feeding section 76. In this way, filth or the like stuck tothe inner wall of the conduits in the endoscopes 51 and 52 is moreeasily removed by the liquid removing capability of the gas.

As described above, it is possible to provide the endoscopecleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 and the endoscope cleaning methodhaving a configuration capable of improving washability in the endoscopeconduit using a two-phase gas-liquid fluid.

Hereinafter, modifications will be described.

The aforementioned present embodiment has shown that in the fourth step,after driving the first gas feeding section 30 and after a lapse of aset time at which the feeding pressure of the first gas feeding section30 becomes a set pressure during normal driving, the control section 70performs control to close the first exhaust section 33 a and control toopen the second opening/closing section 65 b simultaneously.

Without being limited to this, when the control section 70 detects thefeeding pressure of the first gas feeding section 30 and detects thatthe feeding pressure of the first gas feeding section 30 becomes a setpressure during normal driving, the control section 70 may performcontrol to close the first exhaust section 33 a which becomes the firstvalve 33 and control to open the second opening/closing section 65 bwhich becomes the second valve 65 simultaneously.

Hereinafter, a modification will be described using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is adiagram illustrating a modification in which the second valve in FIG. 1and FIG. 2 is constructed of a second exhaust section.

The aforementioned present embodiment has shown that the second valve 65is made up of the second opening/closing section 65 b that can freelyopen/close the connection conduit 62.

Without being limited to this, as shown in FIG. 3, the second valve 65may be constructed of the second exhaust section 65 a which is made ofan exhaust valve provided at a middle position of the atmosphere openingconduit 74, one end of which is connected between the regulator 66 ofthe connection conduit 62 and the check valve 64, and the other end ofwhich is opened to the atmosphere, opening/closing of the second exhaustsection 65 a being controlled by the control section 70.

Hereinafter, another modification will be described using FIG. 4. FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a modification in which the second gas feedingsection in FIG. 3 is provided in the apparatus body.

As described above, the present embodiment has shown that the second gasfeeding section 76 is provided outside the apparatus body 1 h, and isconstructed of a compressor that feeds a high pressure compressed gas inthe tank 77 into the connection conduit 62.

Without being limited to this, as shown in FIG. 4, the second gasfeeding section 76 may be provided inside the apparatus body 1 h. Inthis case, a compressor whose feeding pressure is equivalent to that ofthe first gas feeding section 30 is used for the second gas feedingsection 76.

In this configuration, the second valve 65 is constructed of the secondexhaust section 65 a which is made up of an exhaust valve provided at amiddle position of the atmosphere opening conduit 74, one end of whichis connected between the second gas feeding section 76 of the connectionconduit 62 and the check valve 64, and the other end of which is openedto the atmosphere, opening/closing of the second exhaust section 65 abeing controlled by the control section 70.

Note that as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the second valve 65 isconstructed of the second exhaust section 65 a, in the aforementionedfirst step, the control section 70 performs control to open the secondexhaust section 65 a to thereby perform control to release the gas fedfrom the second gas feeding section 76 to the atmosphere via theatmosphere opening conduit 74, and in the fourth step, the controlsection 70 performs control to close the second exhaust section 65 a tothereby perform control to feed the gas fed from the second gas feedingsection 76 to the gas feeding conduit 22.

Furthermore, the aforementioned present embodiment has described thesecond gas feeding section 76 by taking a compressor as an example whichis always driven when power is turned on, but without being limited tothis, it goes without saying that the second gas feeding section 76 mayalso be constructed of a compressor that is driven under the drivingcontrol of the control section 70.

A further modification will be described using FIG. 5 hereinafter. FIG.5 is a diagram illustrating a modification in which the first gasfeeding section in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is provided outside the apparatusbody.

The aforementioned present embodiment has shown that the first gasfeeding section 30 is provided inside the apparatus body 1 h. Withoutbeing limited to this, however, as shown in FIG. 5, the first gasfeeding section 30 may be provided outside the apparatus body 1 h so asto supply a high pressure compressed gas in a tank 81 to the gas feedingconduit 22 via an outside air inlet 89 as in the case of the second gasfeeding section 76 of the present embodiment.

In this configuration, the first valve 33 may also be constructed of thefirst exhaust section 33 a shown in the aforementioned presentembodiment. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the first valve 33may also be constructed of the first opening/closing section 33 b madeup of an opening/closing valve that opens/closes the gas feeding conduit22 under the control of the control section 70 as shown in, FIG. 5.

Note that as shown in FIG. 5, when the first valve 33 is constructed ofthe first opening/closing section 33 b, in the aforementioned thirdstep, the control section 70 performs control to shut off the supply ofthe gas fed from the first gas feeding section 30 by closing the firstopening/closing section 33 b, and in the fourth step, the controlsection 70 performs to control to supply the gas fed from the first gasfeeding section 30 to the gas feeding conduit 22 by opening the firstopening/closing section 33 b.

A still further modification will be described below. The aforementionedpresent embodiment has shown that when performing cleaning by supplyinga two-phase gas-liquid fluid into the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and52, the gas is fed from the second gas feeding section 76 providedoutside the apparatus body 1 h together with the first gas feedingsection 30 to the gas feeding conduit 22.

Without being limited to this, cleaning using the two-phase gas-liquidfluid may also be performed by feeding the gas only from the first gasfeeding section 30 provided in the apparatus body 1 h to the gas feedingconduit 22.

More specifically, as described above, the control section 70 controlsto open/close the second valve 65 so that the gas is not fed from thesecond gas feeding section 76 to the gas feeding conduit 22, stops thedriving of the liquid feeding pump 13, charges the liquid into theconduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 and the gas feeding conduit 22,performs control to close the shut-off valve 42, and further performscontrol, when the first valve 33 is constructed of, for example, thefirst exhaust section 33 a, to open the first exhaust section 33 a.

After that, when the control section 70 performs control to drive thefirst gas feeding section 30, the gas fed from the first gas feedingsection 30 is opened to the atmosphere via the atmosphere openingconduit 32 because the first exhaust section 33 a is open. Note that thefeeding pressure of the first gas feeding section 30 at this initialstage of driving is lower than a feeding pressure which becomes a setpressure during normal driving.

After driving the first gas feeding section 30 and after a lapse of aset time at which the feeding pressure of the first gas feeding section30 becomes a set pressure during normal driving, the control section 70performs control to close the first exhaust section 33 a. Note that thecontrol to close the first exhaust section 33 a may be performed afterdetecting the feeding pressure of the first gas feeding section 30becomes a set pressure during normal driving.

As a result, the gas is fed to the gas feeding conduit 22 from the firstgas feeding section 30 not at a weak feeding pressure at the initialstage of driving but at a set pressure during normal driving, andtherefore the gas fed from the first gas feeding section 30 is fed intothe endoscopes 51 and 52 via the endoscope connection sections 24 a to24 h and the tubes 71 a to 71 h, and the inside of the conduits of theendoscopes 51 and 52 is cleaned by water removing capability of thetwo-phase gas-liquid fluid as in the case of the present embodiment.

Note that when feeding the gas into the conduits of the endoscopes 51and 52 from the first gas feeding section 30, since the shut-off valve42 is closed by the control section 70 as described above, the two-phasegas-liquid fluid never flows through the atmosphere opening conduit 40.

This is because since the atmosphere opening conduit 40 has lower flowresistance than that of the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52, if theshut-off valve 42 remains open, the two-phase gas-liquid fluid escapesto the atmosphere opening conduit 40, and it is not possible to supplythe two-phase gas-liquid fluid with a sufficient pressure and amount ofliquid into the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52.

Note that if the shut-off valve 42 is closed, since the second reliefvalve 26 is opened when the pressure exceeds the set pressure asdescribed above, this will prevent the first relief valve 41 fromfailing to function, causing the pressure in the gas feeding conduit 22to become higher than the withstand pressure in the conduits of theendoscopes 51 and 52.

Thus, the configuration using only the first gas feeding section 30 canalso appropriately clean the inside of the conduits of the endoscopes 51and 52 using the two-phase gas-liquid fluid. Note that other effects aresimilar to those of the aforementioned present embodiment.

Note that the aforementioned present embodiment has described a casewhere the two endoscopes 51 and 51 are accommodated in thecleaning/disinfecting tank 2 to perform cleaning and a case where theconduits of the two endoscopes 51 and 52 are cleaned using a two-phasegas-liquid fluid as examples, but it goes without saying that the numberof endoscopes is not limited to two.

Note that hereinafter, an example of the endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus whose apparatus body 1 h has the aforementioned configurationwill be described using FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a perspective viewillustrating an example of the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatuswhose apparatus body has a configuration of detecting clogging of theconduit of the endoscope in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus 1 isan apparatus that cleans and disinfects the two endoscopes 51 and 52simultaneously, and a main part thereof is constructed of the apparatusbody 1 h, and a top cover 103 that is a cover connected at the top ofthe apparatus body 1 h in a freely opening/closing manner via, forexample, a hinge which is not shown.

Note that when the top cover 103 is placed to cover the apparatus body 1h, the apparatus body 1 h and the top cover 103 are kept in a closedposition and locked by, for example, a latch 108 disposed at a positionwhere the apparatus body 1 h and the top cover 103 face each other.

A detergent/alcohol tray 111 is disposed in a manner freely drawableforward from the apparatus body 1 h on the front face in the drawing ofthe apparatus body 1 h in proximity to the operator and at the top ofthe left half part, for example.

The detergent/alcohol tray 111 accommodates a tank 111 a that stores adetergent used to clean the endoscopes 51 and 52 and a tank 111 b thatstores alcohol which is a liquid used to dry the endoscopes 51 and 52after cleaning/disinfection, and since the detergent/alcohol tray 111 isfreely drawable forward, the liquid can be replenished to apredetermined level to each tank 111 a or 111 b.

Note that the detergent injected into the tank 111 a is a concentrateddetergent that is diluted to a predetermined concentration with tapwater filtered through a feed water filter which is not shown.

The detergent/alcohol tray 111 is provided with a window section 111 mand the operator can check the remaining amount of detergent and alcoholstored in each tank 111 a or 111 b through the window section 111 m.

Furthermore, a cassette tray 112 is disposed on the front of theapparatus body 1 h, for example, in an upper part of the right-halfsection in a manner freely drawable forward of the apparatus body 1 h.The cassette tray 112 accommodates a bottle 112 a that stores a mainagent which is a disinfecting liquid such as peracetic acid which is aliquid used to disinfect the endoscopes 51 and 52 and a bottle 112 bthat stores a buffer of the main agent, and since the cassette tray 112is freely drawable, the liquid can be replenished to a predeterminedlevel to the bottles 112 a and 112 b. Note that a mixture of the mainagent and the buffer is called a disinfecting liquid.

Furthermore, a sub-operation panel 113 is disposed on the front of theapparatus body 1 h in an upper part of the cassette tray 112 on which adisplay of the cleaning/disinfecting time and a button for instructingheating of the disinfecting liquid or the like are arranged.

Furthermore, a pedal switch 114 is disposed in a lower part on the frontof the apparatus body 1 h in the drawing for the operator to stepthereon to cause the top cover 103 in the closed position on theapparatus body 1 h to open upward of the apparatus body 1 h.

Furthermore, a main operation panel 125 is provided on the top surfaceof the apparatus body 1 h near the right end in the drawing on the frontside in proximity to the operator, provided with setting switches suchas cleaning/disinfecting operation start switch, andcleaning/disinfecting mode selection switch of the apparatus body 1 h.

A feed water hose connection port 131 is disposed on the top surface ofthe apparatus body 1 h and on the rear side facing the front inproximity to the operator to supply tap water to the apparatus body 1 hto which a feed water hose connected to the faucet is connected. Notethat a mesh filter for filtering tap water may also be attached to thefeed water hose connection port 131.

Furthermore, the cleaning/disinfecting tank 2 is provided insubstantially the center on the top surface of the apparatus body 1 h inwhich the endoscopes 51 and 52 can be freely accommodated, an upwardopening endoscope accommodation cavity of which is closed with the topcover 103.

The cleaning/disinfecting tank 2 is constructed of a tank body 150 and aterrace section 151 continuously provided around the outer perimeter ofthe endoscope accommodation cavity of the tank body 150.

When the endoscopes 51 and 52 after use are cleaned/disinfected, thetank body 150 can freely accommodate the endoscopes 51 and 52 and abottom surface 150 t which is a surface inside the tank of the tank body150 is provided with an exhaust port 108 to exhaust the cleaning liquid,water, disinfecting liquid or the like supplied to the tank body 150from the tank body 150.

Furthermore, the circulation port 11 is provided at an arbitraryposition on a peripheral side surface 150 s which is a surface insidethe tank of the tank body 150 to supply the cleaning liquid, water,disinfecting liquid or the like supplied to the tank body 150 into theconduits provided inside the endoscopes 51 and 52 or resupply them froma feed water circulation nozzle 119 to the tank body 150. Note that thecirculation port 11 may be provided with a filter for filtering thecleaning liquid, the water or the disinfecting liquid or the like. Notethat this circulation port 11 may also be provided in the bottom surface150 t of the tank body 150.

A cleaning case 44 is disposed in substantially the center of the bottomsurface 150 t of the tank body 150 to accommodate buttons of scopeswitches or the like of the endoscopes 51 and 52 and forceps plug or thelike and clean/disinfect the buttons and the forceps plug or the liketogether with the endoscopes 51 and 52.

A water level sensor 132 with a cover is provided at an arbitraryposition of the side surface 150 s of the tank body 150 for detectingthe level of the cleaning liquid, water, disinfecting liquid or the likesupplied to the tank body 150 to ensure that the liquid is supplied to aset level in the cleaning/disinfecting tank 2.

The terrace section 151 of the cleaning/disinfecting tank 2 is formed byincluding an inclined surface oriented diagonally upward or morespecifically, a circular terrace surface 151 t inclined by a definedangle with respect to, for example, the bottom surface 150 t of the tankbody 150.

A detergent nozzle 122 for supplying a detergent from the detergent tank111 a to the tank body 150 is disposed on a surface other than theterrace surface 151 t of the terrace section 151, that is, a surface 151f parallel to the bottom surface 150 t of the tank body 150. Note thatthe detergent nozzle 122 may be disposed on the terrace surface 151 t.

A disinfecting liquid nozzle 123 for supplying a disinfecting liquidfrom a disinfecting liquid tank which is not shown to the tank body 150is disposed on the terrace surface 151 t of the terrace section 151.

Moreover, the feed water circulation nozzle 119 for supplying water tobe used for cleaning or rinsing to the tank body 150 or for resupplyingthe cleaning liquid, water, disinfecting liquid or the like suctionedfrom the circulation port 11 of the tank body 150 to the tank body 150is disposed on the terrace surface 151 t. Note that the disinfectingliquid nozzle 123 and the feed water circulation nozzle 119 may also bedisposed on the parallel surface 151 f.

The endoscope connection sections 24 a to 24 h for supplying a fluidinto the conduits of the endoscopes 51 and 52 are provided on the sideof the terrace surface 151 t of the terrace section 151 facing anoperator operation position 2 k.

What is claimed is:
 1. An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus thatcleans/disinfects an endoscope, comprising: an endoscope connectionsection to be connected to a conduit of the endoscope; a gas feedingconduit, one end of which is connected to the endoscope connectionsection, and which is also connected to a liquid supply conduit thatsupplies a cleaning liquid; a first gas feeding section connectionsection disposed at an other end of the gas feeding conduit andconnectable to a first gas feeding section that feeds a gas into theconduit of the endoscope via the gas feeding conduit; a first valvedisposed at a middle position of the gas feeding conduit to allow orblock a flow of the gas from the first gas feeding section connectionsection to the endoscope connection section; a connection conduit, onlyone end of which is connected to the gas feeding conduit; a second gasfeeding section connection section different from the first gas feedingsection connection section, the second gas feeding section connectionsection being disposed at an other end of the connection conduit andconnected to a second gas feeding section that feeds a gas into theconduit of the endoscope via the connection conduit and the gas feedingconduit, the second gas feeding section being further provided to theconnection conduit unlike the first gas feeding section; a second valvedisposed at a middle position of the gas feeding conduit to allow orblock a flow of the gas from the second gas feeding section connectionsection to the endoscope connection section; and a control sectioncapable of simultaneously controlling driving of the first valve and thesecond valve such that the cleaning liquid that is supplied from theliquid supply conduit and remains in the gas feeding conduit and the gasare mixed to generate a two-phase gas-liquid fluid, by allowing the gasto flow from the first gas feeding section connection section toward theendoscope connection section and simultaneously allowing the gas to flowfrom the second gas feeding section connection section toward theendoscope connection section.
 2. The endoscope cleaning/disinfectingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid inletprovided at the other end of the liquid supply conduit, and a liquidfeeding pump that is provided at the liquid supply conduit, and feedsthe liquid introduced from the liquid inlet of the liquid supply conduitinto the conduit of the endoscope via the gas feeding conduit, whereinthe control section controls driving of the liquid feeding pump.